Thursday, June 26, 2014

The Night Porter; Liliana Cavani 1974 Starring Charlotte Rampling and Dirk Bogarde


A controversial film.  A victim from a Nazi camp meets the leader of the camp as he is hiding several years after the war.  In order to survive her experience in the camp, she had had a sexual affair with him.  Now they resume their affair.

Access film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RH_XQupD7o


Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The Marriage of Maria Braun; Directed by Rainer Werner Fassbinder 1979



A German woman marries a soldier during World War II, who then goes off to fight and does not return, immediately, after the war's end.  Maria remains dedicated to him and even in his absence she lives her life for him - working her way up the social ladder to ensure a good life upon his possible return. It's better to just watch the film at this point since ther are many interesting twists and turns.

I guess the big question in this film is: what exactly is Maria Braun's motivation to remain faithful to her husband?  Indeed, how 'faithful' is she since she keeps having affairs with other guys?


Access the film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yco4Ud_5lN8

Veronica Voss: Directed by R.W. Fassbinder 1981


Access film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N4duda5ei8

Lola; Directed by R.W Fassbinder 1981


Access the film here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlso9Bjc2-k

Monday, June 23, 2014

The Tall T (1957) - Directed by Budd Boetticher, Written by Burt Kennedy, Starring Randolph Scott


Many European directors and critics loved Budd Boetticher westerns.  Boetticher enjoyed using barren, rocky, dry, desert areas as stages for his dramas.  So in a Boetticher film you get thoroughly corrupt and depraved fiends opposed by strong, silent men of integrity in the middle of an uncaring and impassive wasteland. Hopefully, providence will intervene, but if it doesn't, well, maybe Randolph Scott can do without it.

Randolph Scott had to be one of the best western actors ever.  He EXUDES integrity and compassion. He's like the best Little League coach you ever had - a damn good guy. A DAMN good guy.



This is really a pretty complex film on many levels - just watch it and I think you'll enjoy it.  Even if you don't like westerns, I think you'll like this one. Burt Kennedy, by the way, wrote the screenplay.  

Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2amXQGg1Y9U